Where Did Rooney Learn To Head The Ball?

10 headed goals out of his last 12, if I'm not mistaken? That's insane from a player who scored four times with his head in his first 300-something games. But that's Wayne Rooney's record and it's astonishing.

Adding heading to his repertoire made him the complete footballer and his performances show that: he has 30 goals to his name this season, he led the line superbly whenever asked to perform this duty, so much so that Fabio Capello must be having second thoughts about his determination to play him off a big centre forward.

But how did he become a deadly aerial weapon in a few months' time? After all, we saw none of this magnificent prowess last season. Rooney himself admitted that he practised headers a LOT and if it's really only down to practice then Fergie must feel vindicated for the umpteenth time: he is well known for his philosophy that practice makes players.

Now, as Rooney is close to match Cristiano Ronaldo's achievements of 2007/08, it makes me smile to recall January 2007 when Rooney scored his first headed goal for United at the Emirates. After the game he revealed that he had got a lot of stick for failing to score with his head... If things go on like this, he'll soon be mocked in the dressing room for forgetting to use his feet. Not that he needs them, not much, anyway.

Comments

I was one who never believed we'd see Rooney playing well in the lone striker role. I always believed he could score more goals (and given the chances I've seen him miss this season, I still do) but thought it would be from a deeper position.

Considering striker is the weakest position in the England team, you'd think capello would jump at the chance to play another midfielder instead.